I was angry.
No… that wasn't enough.
I was furious.
I could feel my blood boiling, as if every heartbeat pushed fire through my veins. The fear had completely disappeared, but unlike that other time… this emotion left no room for anything else.
Anger consumed everything.
I didn't understand how things had ended up like this.
Why did I have to interview someone right now?
Why was that damn god forcing me?
And where was Iztli…?
I clenched my teeth.
I could feel him—weak… but alive.
And that was the only thing keeping me from completely losing control.
I stormed into the preparation room like a hurricane.
The assistants barely had time to react when I grabbed the most striking clothes I could find.
"Quick," I ordered. "Do my hair."
My voice came out colder than I expected.
As they worked on me, I asked again:
"Iztli."
"He's fine," they replied. "He's just in a resting state. You'll be able to see him after the interview."
After.
After.
That word made something inside me burn even more.
How dare he…?
How dare he decide when I could see him?
I clenched my fists.
This won't end like this.
The outfit I chose was red.
It wasn't a coincidence.
It was fire.
It was a warning.
It was exactly how I felt.
When I arrived at the broadcasting room, the first thing I noticed was the presence.
A god.
Long hair, a well-kept beard, ancient robes… and a heavy presence, as if the air itself bent before him.
Who even dressed like that nowadays…?
Before I could think further, I saw someone else.
Hades.
If he was there…
This wasn't just any interview.
It was important.
Maybe dangerous.
And that only made my anger grow even more.
"What I gave you," Mictlantecuhtli said beside me, "only amplifies the strongest emotion you feel."
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
"In your case… it's anger."
He paused.
"If you go in like this, it could be dangerous. We should cancel."
I looked at him.
And smiled.
Not out of happiness.
Out of defiance.
Seeing him uncomfortable… felt good.
That annoyed me… but also gave me satisfaction.
I ignored him.
And walked in.
As I crossed the door, I felt something on my face.
A mask.
White.
One green eye.
One red.
Bright colored details.
And a marigold flower decorating the design.
A catrina.
I didn't remember putting it on.
But when I saw my reflection in the glass…
I smiled.
I felt… better like this.
"Who is this beautiful girl?"
The man's voice was soft, charming… dangerous.
He took my hand.
And kissed it.
I felt immediate rejection.
I pulled my hand away without hiding it.
The host spoke.
"Welcome to Underworld Frequency. Today we have a new host… Cait."
Cait…
Where did that name come from?
But I didn't have time to think.
—
"Today we are joined by… the King of Olympus…"
Thunder rumbled.
"Zeus."
I looked at him.
Perfect smile.
Dominant presence.
Charisma… calculated.
Everything about him screamed power.
And still…
I didn't like him.
"Good evening," I said with a smile I didn't feel. "A god of your caliber… in a station like this. What a surprise."
He smiled.
"You underestimate yourself, little one. This program is growing rapidly. Even in Olympus, people are talking about it."
He leaned slightly forward.
"An old acquaintance recommended it to me. The goddess of darkness."
That calmed me a little.
Remembering her… always did.
"She's a great woman," I said sincerely.
But Zeus didn't lose that smile.
That smile that…
Wasn't warm.
It was… possessive.
"And tell me," I continued, "how does it feel to carry so much responsibility? Ruling Olympus, leading the gods…"
Zeus adjusted himself.
"It is an honor that only someone like me can bear."
Confident.
Proud.
"I must take care of the gods, the realms… my children."
He paused.
"But I always find time… to appreciate beauty."
Out of nowhere, he pulled out a flower.
And placed it in my hair.
Then he let his robe fall slightly.
Revealing a sculpted body.
Perfect.
Calculated.
And then…
I laughed.
I couldn't help it.
A real laugh.
Loud.
Liberating.
—
For a second…
His smile cracked.
Just for a second.
But I saw it.
"What is so funny?" he asked.
His voice was still kind.
But no longer the same.
—
"Responsibility?" I said between laughs. "You?"
I lifted my gaze.
"Do you really want to talk about that?"
Silence.
—
"You devoured your wife out of fear of losing power."
"You cheated on all your partners."
"You destroyed lives."
"You punished Prometheus for helping humans."
"You unleashed chaos with Pandora."
Each word came out colder.
Heavier.
—
"And you… talk about responsibility."
The atmosphere changed.
Thunder began forming around us.
The air grew heavy.
—
"Watch your words," Zeus said.
He was no longer smiling.
—
But I was.
—
"Do you know what's the worst part?"
I leaned forward.
"That even after all that… you still think you're a good king."
I paused.
"Personally… I prefer Hades."
The silence was absolute.
—
"At least he… knows how to take care of what he has."
—
Lightning struck.
The space trembled.
The heat intensified.
—
But I felt no fear.
Only more anger.
—
Because in that moment…
Zeus wasn't Zeus.
—
He was my father.
—
And something inside me…
Wanted to break him.
Even if I burned in the process.